Editorials
Where you finally get to give your
opinion
What is an editorial?
• Piece used to express an opinion
on
1. Timely news
2. Upcoming events
3. People
Purpose of editorial #1
•To inform writer gives explanation of
important or complicated issue
• Example: New guidelines for getting driver’s
license
• New testing (Keystones) for incoming
freshman (tests replace PSSA’s)
Purpose of editorial (2)
• To Promote: Writer tries to get reader
involved; to promote a worthy activity
• Examples: join a charitable event
• Donate to a charity
• Vote for a particular candidate
Purpose of editorial #3
• To praise writer compliments
person, group, or event
• Example:
• Editorial praising Woody High football team
• Editorial praising success of play
• Editorial praising Student Leadership for canned
food drive
Purpose of editorial #4
• To entertain
Structure of an editorial --Hook
• Invites reader in (lead) 30 words
• 50 words or less if using anecdote (story) but
split into 2-3 paragraphs
• Four possible openings
1. Anecdote
2. Startling statement/fact/statistic
3. Question
4. Description –to put reader into certain place
Anecdote (#1)
One 14-year-old New Jersey in a recent Star-Ledger
story receives up to 10,000 -- 10,000! -- text
messages a month. To accomplish that
astounding yet not unusual feat, she interrupts
her showers and stays up all night long, thumbs
pumping, to read and respond to an avalanche of
messages. Doctors are beginning to recognize
such obsession as addiction that is robbing
children of sleep at the very time in their life when
they need it the most.
Startling statistics (#2)
13- to 17-year-olds send or receive an average
of 1,742 text messages a month -- more than
seven times the average number of calls they
place on their cell phones
Question (#3)
“How often do you text?”
Description (#4)
• The national obsession with instantaneous
communication is taking a toll on teens so
severe that some experts are calling it a crisis.
• It's not the phenomenon of cell-phoning or
messaging while driving -- both are illegal in
New Jersey -- but all-night texting that is
leaving too many teens too tired for school.
Selecting an issue for editorials
• Choose a topic that is of interest to your
readership
• Choose a topic that has two positions
• Choose a topic that is timely
• Examples: student testing; dress code; length
of classes/length of days
• Suggestions:
Collecting information for editorials
• Gather as many details as possible
1. Facts
2. Statistics
3. Expert opinions
4. Pictures, graphs that support your position
5. Comparisons to similar situations
6. Positions of the other view/side
How to structure
the
editorial
Position statement
Main idea/thesis statement
Example:
Teens depend on their parents for rules
and guidelines in all other areas of life, so
it's naive to believe they will cut down on
texting without some intervention.
Parents must intervene in this area .
Concession/anticipated objection
• Consider what the other side’s
opinion is and addresses it
• Example: Of course a great many adults also are
addicted to devices of the new technology. In fact,
there's a "Distracted Driving Summit" taking
place in Washington, D.C., in which federal
officials are urging the public not to text and drive
in those states that haven't outlawed it.
Supporting details
• One detail per paragraph (2-3
sentences)
• Arrange in order of weakest to
strongest
• End with strongest point
• Use facts, examples, statistics
rather than opinions for support
Closing
• Must suggest a course of action
– Now that you have convinced the reader
– Capitalize on their agreement: tell them what
action they should take. Be specific!
Clincher—Remind your reader of your
opening
Brevity is powerful!
Keep it short
(250 –500)
words in length
Teen texting is terrifying
• http://www.cartoonaday.com/teen-texting-isterrifying/
Editorial cartoon
What goes into editorial cartoons
Art
What goes into editorial cartoons
Symbols
Democrats—donkey
Republicans—elephant
The wealthy --Large, expansive cars
Money—money bags
What goes into an editorial cartoon?
Palin with big hair
Obama with big ears
What else goes on the editorial page?
Point-counterpoint
Point
• One reporter, editor, or
guest writer writes his
opinion
Counterpoint
• Another reporter, editor, or
guest writer writes an
opposing position.
Random opinion
Man on the street---pose a question, get four
different impromptu responses, show pictures
of the respondents.
Letters to the editor
• People speak to issues previously addressed in
the newspaper.
• On WH update, can be comments
• Must be signed in order to be printed
• Newspapers must determine signature is valid.
• Decision to print is up to the management of the
newspaper
• However, management should be objective;
should print opposing viewpoints
What is found on an editorial page?
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Masthead
Mission statement
Editorial cartoon
Editorial
But NOT ADS